U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Wednesday that the United States will continue using tariffs because a national trade emergency persists [1].
The decision signals a commitment to protectionist trade policies that could disrupt global supply chains and increase costs for consumers and businesses.
Greer testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in Washington, D.C., where he linked current policy to a continuing crisis [1]. He said the administration views the trade deficit as a critical threat to the domestic economy.
"The president's trade policy in 2026 was characterized by a national emergency: a $1.2 trillion trade deficit, which had exploded 40% in the prior four years," Greer said [1]. "That national emergency still persists and so our policy remains the same" [1].
According to the testimony, the trade deficit stands at $1.2 trillion [1]. This figure represents a 40% increase over the preceding four years [1]. The administration argues that these numbers necessitate tariff measures to protect American workers, and reduce the deficit [1], [2].
Greer said, "We are committed to continuing to use tariffs" [1]. This stance extends to North American partners, with reports indicating proposed 50% duties on many Canadian products [3].
The use of a national emergency designation provides the administration with broader authority to implement tariffs without traditional legislative approval, a move that often triggers legal challenges from affected trading partners.
Greer's testimony reinforces the administration's focus on reducing trade imbalances through aggressive taxation of imports [2]. The U.S. government maintains that these tools are the most effective way to incentivize domestic production, and curb the growth of the deficit [1].
“"We are committed to continuing to use tariffs."”
By framing the trade deficit as a 'national emergency,' the administration is justifying a shift from traditional free-trade agreements toward a more transactional, protectionist model. This approach allows for rapid policy changes, such as the proposed 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, but risks retaliatory tariffs from allies and may contribute to domestic inflation by raising the cost of imported materials.
